1. T he boys discover there are no adults on the
island and attempt to model civilization as they know it
by electing a chief. How effective do you think this
effort will be without supervision?

2. Consider the
cause of conflict between Ralph and Jack. What does
Ralph's effort to appease Jack tell you about his basic
character? Is it likely that Jack will be content to play
second fiddle? Why or why not?

3. What does Ralph\rquote s revelation about Piggy' s
name suggest to you about the basic nature of young
people? Are they intentionally cruel to each other or
just inconsiderate? Explain.

4. Why do you think the boys chose Ralph as their
leader?

Chapter
2

1. Consider Ralph's announcement of the group's two
priorities. Are these the two priorities you would
choose? What other things do you think the group might
need to concern themselves with?

2. One of the young
boys expresses his fear of a beastie, while the others
claim there is no such thing. What does this incident
suggest about people and their fears in general? W hat
things might we fear even when we are not faced with the
dramatic situation these boys face? Why?

3. Piggy thinks that the first thing the group should
have done was build shelters on the beach. Is this a
valid point? Why or why not?

Chapter
3

1. Does Jack's desire to kill a pig fit into either
of the group's two main priorities established by Ralph?
Is Jack concerned with tthe group's welfare? Explain.

2.
Ralph wanted to express to Jack that people are never
quite what one thinks they are. Do you agree with Ralph
or not? Support your position with an example from your
own experience.

3. Simon finds a secluded place in the high jungle
where he can be alone. Why do you think he does this?
What do you think this indicates about Simon?

Chapter
4

1. Both Maurice and Roger torment the littluns, but
they still feel guilty and are still conditioned by the
civilization they knew before. How much time do you think
has passed since the boys arrived on the island? Do yo u
think a further passage of time will have any effect on
their feelings of guilt and their previous conditioning?

2.
Jack masks himself with clay and charcoal. What effect
does this have on his behavior? What is the purpose of
any mask, either real or imagined? Do all of us wear
masks from time to time? Explain.

3. Watching the hunters dance and chant, Ralph feels
envy and resentment. Why do you think he is feeling these
emotions? Of what is he envious? What does he resent?

Chapter
5

1. Why are Ralph's complaints about the group valid?
What do you think these faults indicate about the group
in general? Explain.

2. Ralph tells the group they
should die before they let the fire go out. What does he
mean by that comment?

3. Consider Piggy's statement about there being
nothing to fear except people and Simon\rquote s remark
that if there is a beast it may be the boys themselves.
Do these two comments have anything in common? Do you
think Piggy's and Simon's statements make sense? Explain.

Chapter
6

1. Ralph wishes for a message from the grown-ups. The
parachutist could be such a message. What are
some ideas the arrival of this figure might have
suggested to the boys? What, then, is ironic about the
twins\rquote declaration that it was a beast?

2. None
of the boys, not even Ralph or Jack, doubts for a moment
that Sam and Eric have indeed seen a beast. Why are they
all so ready to accept the presence of such a best?

3. Simon comments to Ralph that he doesn't believe in
the beast. Recall his earlier inability to imagine the
best that the twins described and his image of a heroic
and sick human. Is it likely that anyone else will agree
with him? Why or why not? Is Simon's disbelief
reasonable?

4. As Ralph tried to talk with the boys,
"something flittered in front of his mind, like a
bat's wing, obscuring his idea." What do you think
is happening to Ralph? How would you explain this
"short circuit"? Recall his pounding his fist
against the rock. How would you describe Ralph's state of
mind?

5. Recall Jack's ideas for the newly explored part of
the island. Why do you think Jack is thinking in these
terms? Does he seem frightened about anything? Why do you
think the boys would have need of a fort? What would it
defend them from?

Chapter
7

1. Simon tells Ralph he isn't certain, of course, but
that he thinks Ralph will get back alright. Do you agree
with Simon? Do you think that any or all of the boys will
get rescued? Why or why not? Does Ralph think so? Why or
why not?

2. When Ralph strikes the boar on the snout
with his spear, how does he feel? Afterwards, he
immediately jabs at Robert with his spear. What does he
feel then? Is there any connection between the two
events? Explain.

3. How would you describe the relationship between
Ralph and Jack at this point? What is the source of their
conflict? Do you think Jack hates Ralph? If so, why?

Chapter
8

1. Throughout the novel, there has been conflict
between Jack and Piggy. What do you think is the cause of
this conflict? Why is it significant that Piggy, for the
first time, helps to gather firewood o nly after Jack has
broken from the group? Why does Piggy feel liberated?

2.Even
though Jack enumerates Ralph' s faults, none of the boys
is willing to oust Ralph as chief. What explanation can
you offer for this?

3. Comment on your reaction to Simon's encounters with
the Lord of the Flies. Do you think that Simon is
hallucinating because of the heat? Remember that Simon is
only a young boy, about eleven or twelve. Does such a
young person usually have the kind of understanding and
insight that Sim on seems to possess? Do you think the
Lord of the Flies\rquote assessment of the other
boys\rquote feelings about Simon is accurate? Is there
any evidence to support this? Do you think the Lord of
the Flies\rquote warning that the others will
"do" Simon if he tries to interfere is
realistic?

Chapter
9

1. Discuss the organization of Jack's tribe and his
position in it. Then discuss the kind of organization
Ralph tried to establish with the whole group. How would
you label each leader and each system? Which would you
prefer to be a member of? Explain why.

2. The Lord of
the Flies\rquote prediction that Simon would be killed by
the other boys proves to be accurate. Did you expect
this, or were you surprised? Was Simon interfering,
something the Lord of the Flies warned him against, or
was he trying to save them all from the real beast,
themselves?

3. What is the significance of the figure on the
mountain dropping onto the beach and then washing out to
sea? Remember Simon\rquote s efforts to cry out his news
to the chanting, dancing tribesmen.